Umbrella.



I. L. RUDOLPH.

UMBRELLA. APPLICATION FILED DEC.2I, 191?.

Patented June 4, 1918..

- I J Y U1 STAT d UMBRELLA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June a, 1918.

Application filed December 27, 1917. Serial No. 209,082.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, IVAR L. RUDOLPH, acitizen of Sweden, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Umbrellas, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to folding umbrellas.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an umbrella which iscapable of being readily folded into small compass, so as to enable thesame to be conveniently carried in a grip or a suit case. A furtherobject of the invention is to provide an umbrella of this characterwhich can also be folded in regular manner as readily and convenientlyas a non-foldable umbrella. A still further object of the invention isto provide a device of this character, which has its fabric supportingelements so assembled and arranged as to minimize the opportunity forbreaking or unduly stretch ing the fabric, when the umbrella is raised,whereby the length of service of umbrellas of this character is greatlyincreased. Still further objects of the invention reside in providing afolding umbrella which shall be of simple and inexpensive construction,which is composed of but few readily assembled parts, which is easy ofoperation, and which will prove thoroughly efficient in the attainmentof the ends for which it is designed.

With these objects in view together with others which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the novel formation,combination and arrangements of parts, all as will be described morefully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and

particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1, is a fragmentary sectional view taken through an umbrellaembodying the invention, the view illustrating the position the partswill assume when the umbrella is raised.

Fig. 2, is a view similar to Fig. 1 and illustrating the umbrella foldedin regular everyday-position.

Fig. 3, is a view showin the position of the parts when the umbre la isfolded for packing into small space.

Referrin to the drawings, 6 indicates the umbrel a stalf, which in thepresent instance comprises an elongated tube open at both ends. Thistube may be formed of any suitable material and a tip 17 is detachstaff6 and has a shoulder 16 to limit the inward movement therein.

The inner extremity of the tip has secured thereto a spring catch 15 forengagement within a notch or slot 1 1 in the stafi 6. The handle isindicated generally at 2 and comprises a stem-portion 29 to the outerend of which is secured a hand grip 1. The stem 29 is also of a size tofit snugly within the tubular stafi' 6, and carries a spring presseddetent 3 adapted to engage within a notch or slot 7 in the staff 6. Thisdetent locks the handle against inward or outward 1novement, but whenmoved to released position permits of the handle being readily slidinwardly or outwardly of the tubular staff. The inner end of the stem 29is beveled or tapered as at 5 and when the same is moved inwardly of thestaff this beveled end will engage the inclined outer extremity of thespring catch 15 of the tip, so as to withdraw the detent 15 fromengagement within the slot 14 in the staif. Further inward movement ofthe same will operate to eject the tip 17 from the staff, projectingoutwardly from the stafi' 6 adjacent thetip end thereof is the circularplate 18. This plate is preferably formed of metal and is bentdownwardly and inwardly upon itself at its outer edge in such a manneras to form a lip which extends and forms a lap over the fabric, which isfastened to a ring 21. This ring surrounds the plate in groove formed byplate, immediately under the lap. Plate 18 is then bent outwardly anddownwardly and inwardly and upwardly, forming a loop 19 at lower edge.Into this 100 is cut notches to receive the ribs. The ribs compriseinner section 20 and outer section 27. The inner end of section 20 ofthe rib is pivoted to loop 19 by a ring 30. The outer end of section 20is pivoted to joint plate 25 which fits snugly in channel of rib. Outersection of rib 27 is fastened in similar manner to joint plate 25.Joint-plate 25 is so constructed as to fit snugly in channels of bothrib sections and brace 13, and resting solidly in the bottom of saidchannels, so as to prevent rib-section 27 to swing inward, and to form asubstantial frame when umbrella is raised. On the upper and inner end ofjoint plate 25 is an extension a sliding sleeve lO at 12.. At the upperend of the sleeve the inside edge is beveled off and thus the hole madea trifle largorin' order to permit sleeve 10 to pass easily over lowerend of staff 6 when raising the umbrella from position illustrated inFlg. 2. The spring catch 9 is positioned in'the staff '6 so as to lockthe sleeve 10 against sliding back when raised. Said catch 9 is flush oninside of staff 6so as to permit handle 2 to slide through stafi. 6 whenfolding umbrella as in Fig. 3. Then it is desired to fold the umbrellaas shown in Fig. 2, the spring catch 9 is forced inwardly and the sleeve10 is moved toward handle. This action moves the fabric supporting ribsinwardly to closed position. I

When it is desired to fold the umbrella as shown in Fig. 3 the springcatch 9 is forced inwardly, and the sleeve 10 is moved toward the handleuntil tension on fabric has ceased, then the outer section 27 of the ribis swung outward andtoward tip 17' describing a circle with pivot 26 ascenter. When rib section 27 has assumed a square position to joint plate25, said joint-plate will move with rib section 27 swingin on pivot 24c-When both rib sections have een folded together, with the fabric doubledbetween them sleeve 10 is pushed toward the tip 17 until ribs 13 restagainst staff 6. Spring catch 3 is then forcedinwardly and section 2 ofhandle ispushed through staff 6. Beveled end of handle 2 engages springcatch 15 on tip 17 releasing same from notch 14: in staff 16. Furtherpressure on handle 2 will eject tip 17.

derstood that various changes in the minor details of construction,proportion and ar nrangements of parts may be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention .as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is: p

1. In a folding umbrella a hollow upper staff section a detachable tipmeans for looking the tip to the staff a lower staff section. slidablewithin the, upper staff section said lower section adapted in collapsingwithin the upper section to disengage said tip locking means.

2. The device defined in claim l and the lower section is adapted toeject the tip from the upper section.

3. In a folding umbrella an upper hollow staff section a tipdetachablyengaged with in said section a catch on the tip to engage said section alower staff section slidably engaged within the upper section the upperend of the lower section being formed to disengage the catch and ejectthe tip when the lowersection is collapsed within the upper section. 1

4. In a foldinginnbrella a rib comprising inner and outer sections, eachshaped in cross section a joint-plate pivoted within the sides of therib sections and a brace pivotally connected tothe joint-plate.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

IVAR L. RUDOLPH. Witnesses DANIEL P.v TOW SEND,

Anpnnw F. BURKE.-

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe commissionerpf latents,

Washington, D 0.

